Page 78 of Ties of Legacy

Logically, she knew that when their true parting came, it would be her walking away while Elliot stayed behind. But thatknowledge didn’t change the image that replayed over and over in her head.

She wanted to tell herself that Elliot would stay by her side, but she wasn’t delusional. He was the missing heir. Even if he was willing to consider leaving, she couldn’t ask it of him.

So where did that leave her? Could she bear to stay in Bolivere?

Avery lay on her bed in the inn, her mind whirling as she considered the question. She had never once considered settling down before—not seriously. Even when her aunt and uncle had bought their house and invited her to join them, she hadn’t hesitated. She liked her life. She loved to travel—to meet new people and see new places. And even more she loved the satisfaction of matching people with the right item for them—the item that could change their life for the better.

Could she give that up for the mundanity of seeing the same people and doing the same thing day after day? Would she end up taking up running like her uncle only to one day keep going and never come back?

The idea scared her almost as much as agreeing to settle in Bolivere. Her parents had taught her that her word was her bond. If roving merchants weren’t trustworthy, they would soon find they were no longer welcomed in their travels. Avery refused to stay in Bolivere if it meant she might one day walk away from the people who loved and needed her, like Elliot’s mother had done.

Knowing that, could she risk committing in the first place? She wanted to say no, but every time she did, she saw Elliot walking away from her. She had traveled alone for two years and never been lonely, but lying alone in her room at the inn, she had never felt so isolated. Staying in Bolivere felt impossible, but she had grown used to having Elliot beside her. She liked feeling partof a team with him, and returning to a solitary life seemed even more difficult to imagine than staying in Bolivere.

Eventually, she tossed and turned her way to sleep. She had fruitlessly hoped Elliot would reappear that evening, but she would definitely see him in the morning, and hopefully the sight of him would bring clarity. Even if he wanted to avoid her, he couldn’t because he had to stay near the lamp, and the lamp was going with the expedition to the cave. As long as Avery was there at mid-morning when they departed, she would have a chance to speak to him and find out his plans.

Despite her late night, Avery woke early. From the look of the light outside her window, it was barely dawn. But her disrupted mind and heart made returning to sleep impossible.

She rose instead, dressing for the day and heading down to the inn’s dining room in hope of food. She would arrive at the square early so she wouldn’t be caught in the crowds that would surely gather to see the warriors off.

No other guests had descended at such an early hour, but several of the inn’s staff were bustling about. Avery wasn’t surprised to note an extra buzz in the air. The whole town had to be eager to see the beast that had been terrorizing them vanquished. And anyone who had relatives among the warriors going to face him had to be anxious as well.

“Do you know anyone going to the cave?” she asked the serving girl who brought her a steaming mug.

“Yes, my older brother!” The girl clasped her hands together, her face strained. “I don’t think I’ll have a peaceful moment until I see him come back unharmed.”

“I’m sure they’ll succeed this time,” Avery said as reassuringly as she could. “Will you be going to see them off from the square?”

“Oh, but they’ve already left,” the girl said, making Avery’s hand jerk so badly she dropped the mug.

Hot liquid spilled over the table, and she jumped to her feet.

“Oh dear!” The girl began wiping it up, the mess distracting her from Avery’s response.

“Sorry about the drink,” Avery said quickly. “But what did you say? They’ve already gone? I thought they were leaving mid-morning?”

“They were.” The girl continued to mop up the spill. “But last night word came from the manor that they were leaving at dawn instead.” She finally realized what she was saying and looked guiltily up at Avery, the overly full cloth in her hand dripping steadily back onto the table. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything, though. Corbett asked it to be kept quiet. You won’t mention it to anyone? They’re hoping that when everyone gathers in the square later, they’ll discover they’re welcoming the fighters home instead of seeing them off.”

“The fighters have already left?” Avery asked, her numb lips making the words feel strange in her mouth. “You’re sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. I saw my brother leave with my own eyes.” The girl gave Avery a strange look. “Are you all right?”

Avery didn’t answer. She’d barely even heard the girl’s final words. Abandoning her untouched breakfast, she ran straight out of the inn.

Chapter 27

Elliot

Corbett had promised that the members of the expedition would be gathered at dawn, and he was true to his word. Thanks to the town’s masquerade, the steward had been the sole voice of the town’s leader for more than three years, and the townsfolk clearly respected Corbett and his leadership.

Elliot had expected to find the chosen fighters nervous. But their air was one of grim determination. The group had clearly been selected for their temperaments as well as their skill with a weapon. His respect for Corbett increased even further.

In the cold light of morning, Elliot’s own determination to lead the attack seemed foolish. He had learned many things while traveling, and he knew how to use a sword, but he had never faced a Legacy-fueled monster. Some of the men with him had been part of the previous attempt, and he’d be wiser to let them guide him rather than attempting to take the lead himself. But hopefully he could still prove some worth by standing bravely at their side.

Corbett also seemed to recognize his strengths lay elsewhere because he handed the lamp to the oldest of the fighters, a tough-looking man about a decade his senior. Or maybe Corbettwas just listening to his wife, who had seen them off from the manor before dawn after extracting a promise from Corbett that he wouldn’t take any unnecessary risks. Given the young boy at her side and the toddler on her hip, Elliot couldn’t blame her for prioritizing the return of her own husband.

The troop of men formed into two lines and marched out of town with little fanfare. From their manner, Elliot suspected they preferred the dawn start without the crowds to see them off. They could worry about crowds when they came back successful.

Elliot and Corbett walked just behind the man with the lamp who led the way. The path to the cave was one Elliot remembered well. The children of Bolivere had been equal parts fascinated by and terrified of the dragon in the cave.

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